Background: Infection with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) leads to activation of T-helper cells (Th-1 and Th-2) which are involved in the synthesis and release of different cytokines which may lead to endothelial dysfunction. Objectives: To evaluate the endothelial function in patients with acute toxoplasmosis. Methods: This case-control study involved 31 patients with toxoplasmosis aged 19 - 47 years matched with 20 healthy subjects. Anti-T. gondii antibody (IgG, IgM, IgA) was determined by direct antigen-antibody reaction. Interleukin-6(IL-6), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and human malondialdehyde (MDA) serum levels were measured. Results: IgM, IgG and IgA levels were high in the infected patients compared with controls (P < 0.01). Furthermore, IL-6 serum level was high in the infected patients compared with controls (P < 0.01). In addition, ET-1 level was high in acute toxoplasmosis (7.29 ± 4.59 pg/mL) compared with controls (3.11 ± 1.69 pg/mL) (P < 0.01). In addition, MDA serum level was high (9.34 ± 4.17 nmol/mL) compared with controls (2.87 ± 1.13 nmol/mL), (P < 0.01). In acute toxoplasmosis IgM serum level was significantly correlated with IgG (r = 0.55, P = 0.001), IgA (r = 0.57, P = 0.0008), IL-6 (r = 0.45, P = 0.01), ET-1 (r = 0.51, P = 0.003) and MDA (r = 0.85, P = 0.0001). Conclusions: Acute toxoplasmosis is associated with significant oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory changes which contribute to development of endothelial dysfunction
Abstract Objective: To identify correlation of elevated LDH & CRP levels with the outcomes of COVID-19. Methodology: The cross-sectional retrospective study consisted of 200 COVID-19 patients who presented at a private clinical in Baghdad, Iraq. It was carried out from February 2021 to February 2022. Data included age, gender and clinical presentation. Blood samples were taken for high sensitivity CRP and LDH in the serum. Results: Out of 200 patients, 50 were critical and 150 severe according to clinical features. LDH and CRP showed a significant increase (p=0.000) in critical patients. This group involved admission to the respiratory intensive care unit requiring mechanical ventilation than in patients with severe COVID-19 (760.5±6.3 vs.
... Show MoreThe oxidative degradation of Orange G dye by nanosized CeO2 catalyst has been performed in this study. The catalyst was prepared by precipitation method. Various characterization techniques were carried out to study the physical and chemical properties of the synthesized catalyst. The XRD result confirms well the formation of CeO2 cubic phase. The FTIR result showed the effect of calcination temperature for CeO2 was clearly observed due to reduction in band intensity compared to uncalcined Ce nitrate sample. Meanwhile, the diffused reflection spectra recorded reflection spectra at 414 nm with an energy gap of 3.2 ev. The decolorization of Orange G dye by oxidation process were carried out unde
... Show MoreRapid, reproducible and accurate method has been developed for the assay for of mebendazol (MBZ) residual assay. The method is based on alkaline hydrolysis of MBZ with sodium hydroxide then oxidation with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) followed by coupling with 4-Bromoaniline (4-BA) to yield a highly colored product absorbed at maximum 434 nm. Regression analysis of linearity range was found (0.6-2.8) µg.ml-1. The optimum conditions that affect the oxidation were studied. The developed method was found to be precise with mean value of relative standard deviation (1.153- 1.303) and accurate with relative error (-0.5940-1.7821) .The calculated molar absorptivity and sandal sensitivity values of (29825 L.mol-1.cm
... Show MoreRapid, reproducible and accurate method has been developed for the assay for of mebendazol (MBZ) residual assay. The method is based on alkaline hydrolysis of MBZ with sodium hydroxide then oxidation with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) followed by coupling with 4-Bromoaniline (4-BA) to yield a highly colored product absorbed at maximum 434 nm. Regression analysis of linearity range was found (0.6-2.8) µg.ml-1. The optimum conditions that affect the oxidation were studied. The developed method was found to be precise with mean value of relative standard deviation (1.153- 1.303) and accurate with relative error (-0.5940-1.7821) .The calculated molar absorptivity and sandal sensitivity values of (29825 L.mol-1.cm-1), 0.0099 µg.cm-2 respe
... Show MoreBackground: Prematurity and its complications are the major causes of neonatal and infant morbidity and mortality. Although the cause of preterm labor is often unknown, numerous etiological risk factors may be implicated. To identify the risk factors that lead to prematurity and assess the neonatal outcomes that preterm neonates may develop. Methods: This case-control study was conducted at AL-Elwiya Pediatric Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq, from the 1st of June to the 31st of December 2019. A non-randomized sample of 700 neonates admitted to the neonatal care unit was included in this study and divided into two groups of preterm full-term neonates as the experimental and control groups, respectively (n=350 each). The same questionnaire w
... Show MoreThe aim of this research was to indicate the opinion of the Iraqi consumer awareness of the risks associated with consuming canned food, the questionnaire was included 20 questions for label information, consumer culture, shopping, marketing, awareness and knowledge as a tool to survey the opinions of 300 consumers in Baghdad, the data was analyzed by using percentage, weighted mean, and weight percent, the results obtained showed that the Iraqi consumer need more information, training and guidance programs in food safety handling issue for canned food, especially in analysis of label information and growing of consumer culture for shopping, right marketing, awareness and knowledge.
Background: Type two diabetic patients have higher risk of cardiovascular and periodontal disease. Furthermore, patients with more severe periodontal disease have higher incidence of cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to assess the association between periodontal health status and the risk of vascular disease in type 2 diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: One hundred type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and fifty apparently healthy males were enrolled in this study. Oral examinations conducted were; plaque Index, calculus index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment level. For the assessment of vascular risk, arterial stiffness index was used. Results: According to arterial stiffness index, type 2 diabetic p
... Show MoreBackground:The effects of contraception on Trichomonas vaginalis have important implications for women who suffer from infections associated with disruptions in the vaginal ecology, such as bacterial vaginitis and urinary tract infections.
Objective: To find the association of the common types of contraceptions with the Trichomonasvaginalis infection in women admitted to the Al-BatoolTeaching Hospital for Maternity and Children in Baqubah city.
Type of study: Cross-sectional study
Methods: This study consist of 75 women with contraception use and71 apparently healthy non contraception user women admitted to outpatient in Al
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